A BIG name in the property and construction industry has pledged to help get more people into work by supporting Burnley FC’s community project.

The Eric Wright Group, responsible for the development of St Peter’s Leisure Centre in Burnley, has signed up as a patron of the club’s Turf Works programme.

Andrew Dewhurst of Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, said: “The Turf Works programme ticked all the boxes and we’re looking forward to establishing a great partnership with Burnley FC in the Community and helping to expand and improve the already great work that the team does.”

The Premier League Works programme uses the power of football to engage young people who are not involved in education, training or employment.

Taking place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, between 10am-3pm, at UCFB Burnley, the programme aims to help participants progress closer to volunteering or employment.

Facilitated through group sessions, activities include CV workshops, budgeting and money management, interview techniques and a daily job search.

The skills gained are enhanced through a work experience placement and one-to-one sessions with trained staff members.

There is also the opportunity to access a BTEC Level 1 employability/work skills qualification with Nelson and Colne College.

Matt Parish, director of education and inclusion at Burnley FC in the Community, said: “Through the Turf Works programme we aim to give participants the skills and experiences they need to improve their chances of gaining volunteering opportunities and paid employment.

“The programme focuses on personal and social development and in turn builds the participants’ confidence and self-esteem.

“The Eric Wright Group is a great fit because of their commitment to community regeneration and we hope that our participants will be able to see the positive impact that businesses can have in their community, and potentially gain meaningful volunteering and work experience opportunities at the same time.”

The Eric Wright Group, based at Bamber Bridge, says stability and relationship longevity are at the core of the company’s philosophy.

All of the shareholding in the Eric Wright Group is owned by the Eric Wright Trust, a charitable body that was established on principles of sustained employment and community regeneration.

The organisation aims to achieve this through the reinvestment of time, money and resources, with the arrangement providing a high level of stability for the companies in the group and supporting longer-term commercial and charitable strategies.